Kitten Health

I have a 9 month old kitten and recently adopted a 3 1/2 old kitten. A week later, the two are inseperable. They are both males. My question is that the 9 mo old has been grooming the younger kitten alot. And since the 9mo old is short hair, he hasn't produced a furball of his own. He's been gagging (not coughing, and it seems different from when he tries to get a furball up) alot the past few days and I wonder if it is because of the new kittens hair or something more serious. He's eaiting and using the litter box. I've heard the new kitten sneeze a few times, so I wonder if it is a Upper Resp. going on. Should I give the 9 mo old Vaseline to help him cough up a furball? Thanks!!!!

Yes, the kitten could have a respiratory infection. Instead of the vaseline, can you use butter or purchase the paste that is indicated for furballs?? Do you brush and comb the kitties??